them, on their paying the Quitrent established in his Province of New York, they cannot in any shape be distressed, or have any just reason of complaint.

As the Province of New Hampshire is bounded to the Westward by the Eastern boundary of his Majesty's other Governments, the Governor of New Hampshire can have no pretence for extending his claim on the West side of Connecticut River which is the boundary Eastward there of the Province of New York, especially after repeated remonstrances had been made to him, by the Government of New York, on this head. Notwithstanding of this the Governor of New Hampshire continues to grant lands far to the Westward of Connecticut River, to numbers of people who make a job of them, by selling shares in the neighbouring Colonies, and have even attempted it in the City of New York, and perhaps not without success. The Quitrents in New Hampshire, as I am informed, are much lower than in New York, this is made use of as an inducement to purchase under New Hampshire, rather than to settle under New York grants.

The most surprising part of the Representation of these Gentlemen is that they should propose only a saving of the grants in New York which extend above 20 miles from Hudson's River and were made before the second charter to Massachusetts Bay, when it is clear that the second charter cannot extend beyond Connecticut River, and it is not so that the first did not.

In the last place I cannot conceive on what principles of justice, policy or public utility these gentlemen advise the settling the boundary between His Majesty's Province of New York, and the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire at 20 miles East from Hudson's River.

If all the lands in the Province of New York from 20 miles of Hudson's River to Connecticut River, were given up, the Crown would be deprived of a Quitrent amounting yearly to a large sum, in my opinion, greater than the amount

of all the Quitrents of the whole that would remain and is now received.

The New England Governments are formed on Republican principles, and those principles are zealously inculcated on their youth, in opposition to the principles of the Constitution of Great Britain. The Government of New York on the contrary is established, as nearly as may be, after the model of the English Constitution. Can it then be good policy to diminish the extent of Jurisdiction in His Majesty's Province of New York, to extend the power and influence of the other.

The commerce of the inhabitants on the East side of Hudson's River, to a great extent Eastward, probably as far as Connecticut River, is with the towns on Hudson's River; it must then be extremely inconvenient to them to be under different laws, different jurisdictions, and different currencies of money.

I have no objections to the observations the gentlemen have made as to the boundary of this Province Westward. And I join heartily with them in recommending a proper fund to be established for recovering his Majestys rights from all intruders. It appears by the King's instructions to his Governor of this Province that his Majesty has been informed of great intrusions on his rights by private persons, and the Governor is directed to take a legal means for recovering of the King's rights. But this cannot be done without great expense at law, for which there is great reason that provision be made, because no officer can do his duty without incurring the resentment of rich and powerful families

I am, with great submission

My Lords &c

SAME TO MONCKTON.

NEW YORK, October 7th 1763.

SR

Since you left this place, I have seen the Copy of a Representation to your Excellency by five Gentlemen of the Council, in which I have observed several mistakes, which I think may be prejudicial to his Majestys Interest at this time, when probably the affairs of the Colonies may come under the consideration of his Ministers. I have therefor thought it my Duty to put the subject Matter of that Representation in a truer light, as I conceive it, by a letter which I write at this time to the Lords of Trade & Plantations, a Copy of which I inclose, that you may be likewise informed & that your Excellency may be more fully apprized of what may be proper to be done.

It may not be improper to observe to your Excellency, that it has been usual to send over a new Great Seal for this Province at the Accession of a New King. It has been longer delayed at this time than usual & may be forgot. The Kings & Queens Pictures have likewise been usually sent at the same time & some other things.

You know, sir, the State of the Fort, that it is needless for me to mention any thing of it, but allow me to put you in mind of poor Christopher Blundel, who has lost his pay by the disbanding of the independent companies. You know him to be an useful & carefull man. There is not any person to take care of the stores, Ammunition or of any thing else except himself, & he continues to take care of them, in hopes of being some how provided for.

The Assembly meets the 8th of next month. I shall do my self the honour of writing to you, of what ever I think

you may be desirous to know. At present I have nothing to add, but that, I am with the greatest Respect

My last was 17 ult. by the Halifax Packet. When the Cumberland sail'd, I was roving in the woods as a Trustee about a family law suit, and at my return found your favor of 13th Aug at home, which gave me great pleasure to find you were all got safe & well on t'other side the water- I have paid your compliments to all your friends in our circle & return'd Mr. Cruger your thanks for his sons obliging behavior to your family at Bristol. Napier is well & offers his best respects to you, S: Jeffery is just return'd from an excursion to Albany for ten or twelve days to meet S: William about Indian affairs which dont seem to be mended. You will have seen that they cut off a party sometime ago on the Portage between Niagara & Lake Erie in consequence of their threats & kill'd about ninety men out of about a hundred & fifteen or twenty, these were suppos'd to be the Senecas who are now openly declar'd against us, & have threaten'd it's said some of the rest of the Six Nations, to extirpate them if they do not immediately join the Confederacy- S: William is very appre

hensive of his own safety & if he quits, the whole Mohawks River they say will break up - Our Assembly meet in common course Tuesday next a week- We have heard nothing yet of a demand of men nor have we done any business of consequence or indeed that deserves a recapitulation since you left us, I heartily wish some vigorous measures may be taken relative to the Boundaries of the Colony or we shall be plagu'd to death with intestine disputes & divisions but in the confus'd situation they themselves are represented at home, we have not appearances much in our favor. Some letters from Ireland mention Lord Hillsborough's being at the Head of the Board of Trade from whence it's inferr'd Lord Shelburne succeeds Lord Egremont Apropos, The College agent, M: Jay, writes the Governors that he spoke to Lord Shelburne about a grant of land for the use of the College which his Lordship seem'd to relish very well. If an order could be obtain'd for the Governor to grant it, I should imagine it would not be a wrong measure & if you would be so good as to countenance it if it falls easily in your way, the Governors I am sure would be very grateful for the favor. The quantity must be submitted to the Bounty of the Crown, as it must be taken up at a great distance & will for a long time be of little value, about Ten thousand acres has occurr'd to me as a seemly quantity enough, however that & every thing else relative to it must be humbly submitted to the Donors. If the quit rent could be releas'd as the distance will render the income for a long time unequal to any burthen it would be a very great favor, but this & every other circumstance as I have already said, must be as it must be The Governors have thought it Mr. Jay's duty to wait on you before he moves any further in it, to know your pleasure & pray your countenance which they will be very thankful for - I am directed to present to you their best respects & good wishes. And now for domestic business. The carved work & glass at the Fort I